Freezing tray



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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FREEZING TRAY Ralph H. Chilton, Dayton, Ohio, assignor to General Motors Corporation, Detroit, Mich, a corporation of Delaware Application May 28, 1937, :Serial No. 145,261 14 Claims.A (UI. 622-1085) This invention relates to freezing trays, espe- Figs. 12 and 13 illustrate the preferred method cially to portable freezing trays adapted for use of permanently assembling the cross partitions in household refrigerators. loosely upon the two-piece main central partition.

An object of this'invention is to provide a sim- Similar reference characters refer to similar ple and eflicient mechanically operated tray from I parts throughout the several views. which the frozen ice blocks may be removed with- I0 designates the metal container pan which out the necessity of fire melting the ice loose. preferably is slightly exible or distortable to A more specific object is to provide improvepen-nit it to be more easily loosened from its ments over the device disclosed in Serial No. frozen contents as hereinafter described. 98,213, led August 27, 1936, by Donald H. Reeves l" The removable grid II of Figs. 1, 2, and 3 comand assigned to the assignee of this application. prises a, central main wall composed of an upper' One featureof this invention is the simplified section I3 and a lower section I 4, and a series of hand lever arrangement whereby the hand lever separate cross partition walls -I2 which are loosely nrst serves to force the container pan from its u, retained in place upon Sections I3 and I4 and ere ice and grid contents as a unit and thereafter tilted forward (to the right as seen in Fig. 2) when serves to move the partition members relative to the upper section I3 is slid toward the right by each other to loosen the ice blocks from the grid. means of the hand lever I5. Sections I3 and I l Another feature of this invention is the use of are held substantially aligned in a vertical plane the hand lever itself to directly engage and loosen by their Slidingr fit in the aligned Slots I6 in the the first two ice blocks at one end of the grid cross walls I2. Section I 4 has in its lower edge prior to the relative movement of the transverse a series of notches `I 1 of substantial depth and partitions, whereby the applied force necessary of triangular or other shape within which the to loosen the remaining ice blocks is greatly recontinuous lower portion I8 of cross walls I2 may duced. pivot when walls I2 are tilted.) Section I3 has in.

Another feature is the structure and method of its upper edge a series of notches 20 of widths loosely assembling the cross partitions to the lonprogressively increasing from the forward or right gitudinal partition, whereby the desired relative end to the rear or left end as seen in Fig. 2. movement between these parts is readily per- Notches 20 have forward shoulders 2| against mitted. 3o which the forwardly tilted cross walls I2 rest Further objects and advantages of the present when all the parts are in freezing position as invention will be apparent from the following deshown in Fig. 2. Notches 20 have rear shoulders Scription, reference being had to the accompany- 22 which provide progressively widening clearing drawings wherein a preferred embodiment 0f ances 25 between shoulders 22 and the bottoms 26 the present invention is clearly ShOWncf slots 21 in the smeu tcp nenges 2s en cross 111th@ drawings: wens i2. Thus it wm be seen that when the Fig- 1 IS a Pian View 0f an ice tray and grid upper section I3 1s slid te the right by the hand mg; aggrgihlnmg'of Fig 1 lever I5, the shoulders 22 will successively en- Fig. 3 is a Section on une 3 3 of Fig. 2. 40 gage the abutments 26 on cross walls I2 and thereby successively tilt them forward one after another beginning at the forward or right end as seen in Fig. 2. 'I'his progressive action is caused by the progressively widening clearances 25.

Figs. 4, 5, 6, and 7 illustrate the operation of the device of Figs. 1, 2, and 3. Fig. 4 shows the container pan being first forced from the gridand ice as a unit by the hand lever. Figs. 5 and 7 illustrate how upon further movement the hand "The top anges 28 provide increased strength lever directly engages and loosens the two end and stiffness to the upper portions of cross walls most ice-blocks. Fig 6 shows the successive M I2 but at the same time do not increase the vermg of the cross walls upon stm further move tical height or head room required for the grid. ment of the hand lever. Hence, these flanges 28 may be made as wide as Figs. 8 and 9 show a modified form of the in- 50 may be necessary for propel' Strength and Stiffvention. Fig. 8 being similar to Fig. 2, and Fig. 9 ness, for. instance, they may be made twice as similar to Flg, 6, wide as shown in Fig. 1 if desired, provided the Figs. 10 and 11 show another modified form of progressive clearances 25 are maintained in any the invention, Fig. 10 being similar to Fig. 2 and Such Change. The Slots 27 in flanges 28 IOOSely 1l similar to Fig. 6. 55 engage the sides of section I3 and thereby posi- 2 tively maintain the cross walls I2 in a directly transverse position in the pan.

In order to assemble the cross walls I2 and sections I3 and I4, each cross wall I2 has its central slot I6 cut or punched therein of a sufcient depth to permit the wider of the two sections I3 and I4 to be passed endwise through said slots I6. In addition, each cross wall has a small metal flap I9 sheared at two cuts I9' therein (see Figs. 12 and 13) and then bent out at such an angle as will temporarily provide a slot of sufficient width to permit the two sections I3 and I4 to lieside by side in saidv temporary slot. The two sections I3 and I-4 may then be passed endwise in side by side relation thru these widened slots in cross walls each cross wall registers with its lower and upper notches I1 and 20 in sections I4 and I3 respectively, said sections I4 and I3 may then be moved vertically so as to cause them to no longer mutually overlap whereupon they are then moved laterally into the same vertical plane. The metal flaps I3 are then bent back into the planes of the cross walls I2, and thus sections I3 and I4 are permanently retained aligned in one plane but relatively slidable endwise in slots I3 in the cross walls I2. This method of assembling the cross walls to the two-piece longitudinal wall is disclosed and claimed in my copending application Serial No. 128,153, filed February 2'1, 1937.

The actuating handle I is pivoted upon the pin 40 adjacent the front end of the top section I3, and has a forwardly extending U-shaped projection 4I overlying the lip 42 of pan I0 which first serves as a cam for forcing the pan III loose from its frozen contents and grid as a unit. Preferably projection 4I has a small cam roller 43 mounted on cross pin 44 so that roller 43 swings in the vertical plane of sections I3 and I4.

Figs.' 4, 5, 6, and 7 illustrate the operation of the device. When lever I5 is first pulled upwardly (see Fig. 4), cam roller 43 engages lip 42 kof pan I5 and forces it outwardly and downwardly and thereby loosens pan III from the grid and ice, after which the grid and ice may be removed from the pan as a.4 unit, if so desired. During such initial movement of lever I5 the top section I3 is ordinarily held fixed' relative to 50 cross walls I2 by its frozen bond to the ice on each side thereof. However if said top section I3 should be pulled loose from its frozen bond during this operation of forcing pan III loose,

section I3 will move up freely only a small dis- 55 tance and then be stopped by its abutment with the top of slots I6 in cross walls I2, as shown in Fig. 4.

Further up movement of lever I5 causes the two preferably wedge-shaped sides 45 of the lever projection 4I to directly engage the two end ice blocks and force them downwardly and outwardly and thus free these two ice blocks from the grid (see Figs. 5 and 7). During this portion `of the operation the entire work of lever I5 is exerted upon only the two end ice blocks, hence these two ice blocks may be quite easily forced loose by this great leverage action.

After the two end ice blocks have been removed as shown in Fig. 5, lever I5 may then be freely swung to an almost vertical position before cam roller 43 abuts directly against the end of lower section I4. which position is shown in Fig. 6. Thereupon further movement of lever I5 moves upper section I3 to the right with a 75 y rect engagement greatly multiplied force due to the quite short distance between cam roller 43 and pivot 40. This distance is preferably as short as the structural design permits in order to obtain the optimum mechanical advantage for forcing section I3 to the right relative to lower section I4. Thus the cross walls I2 are successively engaged by the shoulders 22 of slots 20 and thereby successively tilted forward as described above. It will be noted that the rst cross wall I2 will be quite easily so tilted forward since the two end ice blocks will have been previously the sides 45, as described above.

cross wall I2 is loosened from the ice it is free to drop down a short distancedue to the clearance at the top of slots I5 and then to move bodily forward a small distance so that it will clear the next ice blocks to be removed immediately behind it, as illustrated in Fig. 6.

Thus it will be seen that the following various functions of lever I5 may be, and if necessary are, performed one after another (not simultaneously) and hence the necessary actuating applied force thereupon is greatly reduced: (l) lever I5 first forces pan I0 loose, (2) lever I5 next forces the two end ice blocks loose by ditherewith, (3) lever I5 next loosens upper section I3 from its ice bond before any tilting engagement with the cross walls I2, (4) lever I5 next engages and tilts forward the first cross wail I2, (5) lever I5 then engages and tilts forward the second cross wall I2, then the third cross wall I2, and so on for all the cross walls I2. y

Figs. 8 and 9 show a modified form of the invention, Fig. 8 showing the parts in freezing position. The vertical cross walls I2 are held spaced from the actuating shoulders 22 of the actuating section I3' by separate small resilient rubber compression springs 50, and thus the progressively positively maintained prior to the water being frozen. In other words, gravity or friction is not relied upon to hold the cross walls in their correct freezing position. The operation of this form by hand lever I5 is substantially the same as above described for the first form. When upper section I3 is moved to the right by lever I5' the rubber springs 5I! readily yield to permit the shoulders 22' to successively engage and tilt forward the cross walls I2.

These rubber springs 5I) are preferably suitably retained upon section I3 byeach having a depending portion 5I which is pressed down into a necked slot 52 in'section I3', as clearly shown in Figs. 8 and 9. The horizontal transverse width of the contacting edge 53 of the rubber springs is preferably made about half an inch so that this transverse edge 53 will substantially hold the cross walls I2' in their correct transverse position in the pan.

Figs. 10 and 11 showA still other alternative modifications, Fig. 10 vshowing the parts, in freezing position. In this form the backwardly tilted cross walls I2 are held spaced from the actuating shoulders 22" tension springs BIJ which perform the same function as the rubber springs 50 do in the second form described above, as will be clear from the drawings.

Also in this form, the lower notches 85 in the lower section I4" are shaped somewhat as clearly shown. The shape of these notches permits the cross walls I2" to pivot freely through a wide angle about theirbottom edges as a fulcrum increasing clearances 25' are more l by the separate small coill when they are tilted forward by lever I. The substantial necks oi' ice which iill the open portions of notches 65nmust be broken in two by the tilting movement of the cross walls. Since these necks of ice lie closely adjacent the bottom edge or fulcrum of the cross walls while they are being tilted, the ice necks are more easily broken in two.

While the embodiment of the present invention as herein disclosed, constitutes a preferred form, it is to be understood that other forms might be adopted, all coming within the scope of the claims which follow.

What is claimed is as follows:

1. A partitioning grid for a freezing tray, said grid comprising: a main partition wall comprising separate longitudinally movable upper and lower sections, a series of transverse partition Walls each loosely retained upon. said main W-all and capable of individual relative movement, an actuating lever pivoted upon said upper section and arranged to react against said lower section to cause relative longitudinal movement between said sections, and means on said upper section for successively positively engaging and moving said transverse walls upon relative movement between said upper and lower sections. y

2. A partitioning grid for a freezing tray, said grid comprising: a main partition wall comprising separate iongitudinailly movable upper and lower sections, each havinga series of marginal notches along its upper and lower margins respectively, a series of transverse walls each loosely retained upon said main wall by portions thereof lying within a pair of said notches, an actuating lever pivoted upon said upper section and' operable to engage said lower section and cause relative longitudinal movement between said sections, said marginal notches on said upper section progressively varying in width and serving to successively positively engage and move said trans-l verse walls upon relative longitudinal movement between said upper and lower sections.

3. A partitioning grid for a freezing tray, said grid comprising: a main partition wall comprising separate longitudinally movable upper and lower sections, each having a series of marginal notches along its upper and lower margins respectively, a series of transverse walls each loosely retained upon said main wall by portions thereof lying within a pair of said notches, and actuating means for moving said upper section longitudinally along said lower section, said marginal notches on said upper section being arranged to successively positively engage and move said transverse Walls upon longitudinal movement of said upper section.

4. A partitioning grid for a freezing tray, said grid comprising: amain partition wall comprising separate longitudinally movable upper and lower sections, each having a series of margina notches along its upper and lower margins respectively, a series of transverse walls each loosely retained upon said main wall by portions thereof lying within a pair of said notches, and actuating means for moving said upper section longitudinally along said lower section and thereby cause a tilting movement of said transverse walls.

5. A freezing tray having a removable grid therein, said grid comprising: a main longitudinal partition wall, a series of transverse partition walls loosely associated with said main wall and movable relative thereto, an actuating longitudinally movable member overlying said main wall, a hand lever pivoted upon one end of said actuating member and arranged so that its outer end may be swung down into engagement with and react against the end surface of said main wall after the grid is removed from its container pan for moving said actuating member longitudinally along said main wall, and means on said actuating member for moving said transverse walls upon such longitudinal movement thereof.

6. A freezing tray having ya, removable grid therein, said grid comprising: almain longitudinal partition wall, a series of transverse partition walls loosely associated with said main wall and movable relative thereto, an actuating 1ongitudinally movable member overlying said main wall, a hand lever pivoted upon one end of said actuating member and arranged so that its outer end first reacts downwardly against the container pan to facilitate the removal of the pan from its contents as a unit and thereafter may .be swung down into engagement with and react against the end of said main wall for moving said actuating member longitudinally along said main wall, and means on said actuating member for moving said transverse walls relative to said main Wall.

7. The combination of a, freezing tray and a removable grid disposed therein, said grid comprising a main partition wall formed of separate longitudinaily movable upper and lower sections, a series of transverse partition walls each loosely retained upon ,said main wall and capable of a tilting movement relative thereto, an actuating lever pivoted upon one of said main wall sections y and arranged to react against the other of said main wall sections to cause relative longitudinal movement between said sections after the grid has been at least partially removed from the tray, and means on one of said main wall sections for successively positively engaging and tilting said transverse walls upon relative longitudinal movement between said upper andlower sections.

8. In a device of the character described, a mold element comprising an end-wall element formed of two contiguous members and c. plurality of side-wall members loosely supported on the end-wall element, and-a lever operatively connected with the side-wall members by means of one of the contiguous members to impart anicedislodging movement to the side wall members, or through said contiguous members to hold the side-wall members against relative movement in .its inactive position.

9. In liquid congealing apparatus, the combination of an ice pan, a grid member removably disposed therein for dividing the ice pan into a plurality of ice cube forming cells, said grid member comprising a central longitudinal wall member formed of two superposed parts both of which divide the pan longitudinally thereof and one of which is movable lengthwise relative to the other, a plurality of transverse wall members movably attached to said longitudinal wall member, said longitudinal wall member provided'with vertically extending slots for receiving the transverse wall members, said slots being of greater width than the section of the transverse wall members so that the transverse wall members are movable angularly with respect to the longitudinal wall member, means for raising the grid member from the ice pan with the ice cubes adhering to said grid member and means for thereafter imparting movement to said movable longitudinal wall portion to move said transverse wall members angularly with respect to said longitudinal wall member.

10. In combination, a tray having a unitary metallic grid structure removably disposed therein, said grid structure comprising a rigid wall member extending longitudinally of the tray and a plurality of rigid wall'members loosely heldk in spaced relation along said longitudinal wall member and extending transversely thereto to divide the interior of the tray into a plurality of ice block compartments, said transverse members being normally inclined with respect to the bottom of the tray to provide said ice compartments with a parallelogram form in at least one direction of cross-section therethrough, means for elevating said unitary grid structure and ice blocks bonded thereto relative to the tray, and means for moving said transverse wall members relative to said longitudinalA wall member and out of said inclined yposition to enlarge said compartments and release ice blocks therefrom.

11. A device of the character described comprising a tray, and a grid assembly in the tray, inclusive of a plurality of walls normally inclined from the tray bottom and mounted vfor yangular movement relative thereto, a member connecting said walls and mounted for movement laterally thereof, there being notches of different widths in the connecting member, providing shoulders for successively engaging said walls, and a lever acting on the connecting member to progressively rotate the walls through the intermediary of the connecting member and to raise the grid assembly from the tray.

12. A freezing mold of the character described comprising a tray, and a grid assembly in the tray, inclusive of a plurality of walls normally inclined from th' tray bottom and mounted for angular movement relative thereto, a member connecting said walls and mounted for movement laterally thereof, and having a series of notches of different size providing shoulders for engaging successive walls members, and a lever for actuating the connecting member to rotate different wall members at predetermined moments in the movement of the lever.

13. A grid for anice tray comprising a notched longitudinal member, a plurality of transverse members loosely held in spaced relation in the notches, in normally inclined relation to the 1ongitudinal member, and mechanism for moving the inclined members to a substantially upright position.

14. In a partitioning grid for a freezing tray, a mold element comprising an end-wall element formed of two relatively movable contiguous members and a plurality of side-wall members loosely supported on both of said contiguous members of the end-wall element, and a lever operatively connected with the side-wall members by means of one ofthe contiguous members to impart an ice-dislodging movement to the side wall members.

RALPH H. CHILTON.- 

